With six years? experience in the jewellery industry behind her, Bermudian Melanie Eddy took herself and her BA (Hons) degree in English and International and Comparative Studies off to England in search of more creative freedom.

Her continued interest and enthusiasm in jewellery design and manufacture led her to London to advance her skills and creativity. First she enrolled in courses at the Central St. Martin?s College of Art and Design (CSM), and then in a post-experience course at the Royal College of Art (the latter with the assistance of the Bermuda Arts Council) before returning to St. Martin?s where she is currently in the first year of a two-year Master?s degree programme in jewellery design.

?My involvement in cross-disciplinary MA projects and a consultancy project for an outside firm have shown how my skills can be applied to areas I hadn?t conceived of before attending CSM,? Miss Eddy says.

In addition to having ?incredible resources? at the College and beyond at her fingertips, the graduate student has also been taking full advantage of visits to museums, exhibitions, libraries and other venues in the British capital, all of which serve to expand and enhance her knowledge of art and design above and beyond her immediate areas of study.

Miss Eddy?s special interest in the antiquity of jewellery as a form of decorative art, its relationship to the human desire for self-adornment, and ?reinvesting modern jewellery with some of its historical or ritualistic power? is what inspires her work.

?My research and increased understanding of Medieval jewellery and Gothic architecture is a vehicle through which to explore this issue,? she says. ?Research into Gothic architecture has led me to study the geometry behind these constructions, in turn developing a system of design using sacred geometry,? she says.

Noting a ?renewed interest in the spiritual?, the talented Bermudian foresees her designs as being contexturally relevant ? albeit ?more and more outside traditional faiths?.

?While my research focuses on Christian buildings in the form of Gothic architecture, the geometry utilised is shared by various western and eastern faiths from ancient times through to today,? she says.

In addition to her studies, last year Miss Eddy worked at Contemporary Applied Arts, Britain?s largest gallery specialising in the exhibition and sale of contemporary crafts, and continues with her ongoing part- time job as an editorial assistant on Findings, the Association for Contemporary Jewellery newsletter.

Looking ahead, Miss Eddy says that in addition to becoming a successful designer she also hopes to be fully involved in the art community in both London and Bermuda.

?While I am delighted to see how many students in the UK pursue a career in the arts, I believe there could be increased awareness about the possibilities of jobs in this field in Bermuda,? she says. ?Art is an integral part of society and its role should not be undervalued.?

As for the future, Miss Eddy?s eventual goal is to set up her own workshop for jewellery design and manufacture here at home. She also envisages ?a gallery/retail space that is inclusive of local designers and artists while highlighting innovative international designers ? bringing jewellery and metalwork more into the fold of the rich and developed art community in Bermuda?.

Like all arts students, financing her dreams is a critical issue ? something the Bank of Butterfield has been happy to help with through a $5000 Visual Arts Award this week.

?I am thrilled to be a recipient,? the grateful student says.